Articles tagged with: Delaware

The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group is proud to be part of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Gallo Realty family - both as a sales team and literally as “family” (Lee Ann’s parents, Bette and Sal Gallo founded Gallo Realty). We’re especially aware of this real estate family connection at our annual sales meeting, which was January 13, 2016 at the Baycenter in Dewey Beach. As we do each year, our entire team from Lewes, Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach offices got together to celebrate the hard work of the prior year and recommit to our ultimate goal of being “community-minded and customer-focused.”

As our company Vice President and Rehoboth Beach broker, Andrew Ratner, shared at the meeting, BHHS Gallo Realty is now 120+ agents strong. This past year marked the highest total number of closed transactions in our company history – 852 – and $306 million in sales volume. Our company welcomed 13 new sales agents last year and celebrated individual and team accomplishments both in the sales and rental departments.

The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group was honored to receive top award, The Chairman’s Circle Diamond Award, for over $100 million in sales volume.

On the national level, the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network is composed of over 40,000 agents in 1,200 offices in 47 states. In 2016, BHHS will: launch a new television commercial; sponsor another sweepstakes program in conjunction with HGTV; participate in networking groups including ReThink Council, the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals, and Facebook groups; refine its Luxury Collection brand; and expand into an international franchise.

Read more about the meeting and awards here in The Cape Gazette article.

We thank all of our fellow team members and clients for an exceptional 2015!

December at the beach is definitely not a time to slow down! The calendar is full of fun, festive events and it’s still a great time to walk around downtown shops and restaurants, walk the boardwalk and the beaches - even surf with the right gear!

Just this weekend alone in Downtown Historic Lewes:

Thursday, December 3

SHOP, DRINK & BE MERRY! Merchants Hospitality Night in commercial district, with live music on Second Street. Always lots of good cheer and fun. 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

OPEN HOUSE! Angler’s Nest, new community of single family homes on the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

PARADE! Old Fashioned Christmas Parade (with a special guest at the end!) 5 p.m.

SING! Caroling and Tree Lighting in Zwaanendael Park

And Santa moves back into Second Street next week!

For these and so many other reasons, many seasonal residents and home owners have made celebrating holidays at the beach a tradition.

And why not? What’s better than walking the beach and getting fresh air on the water, or taking a bike ride on the trail, before or after a celebration with family and friends? Not much! Even better consider a home that's steps to the sand! Lewes Beachhas great opportunities right now.

The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group can connect you to ocean, bay or lake/pond front properties all along Delaware’s beaches. Holidays at the beach are a breath of fresh air!

With the biggest shopping day of the year upon us, The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group wants to support our local friends and businesses this “Small Business Saturday” – Saturday, November 28, 2015. American Express started this initiative nationally to raise support for the independently owned retail shops, restaurants and service providers in communities across our country.

In Sussex County and our beach towns, small businesses are truly the backbone of our economy.

We have always had so many wonderful boutiques and restaurants; however, as any small business owner can tell you - including my own “mom and pop,” Bette and Sal Gallo, who started their real estate business four decades ago - opening and sustaining a “small business” is no “small task.”

Imagine what our towns would be like without the shops that sustain our local economy. These locally owned and run businesses essentially make Delaware beaches unique places to live and set us apart as real departures from suburbia. The more our small businesses thrive, the better it is for all of us: locals and visitors alike.

The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group is thankful for the support of our local customers, local colleagues and services, and we are happy to support other local small businesses, too.

WOLFE POINTE

Looking for a luxury neighborhood lifestyle that’s modern yet established, close to a charming historic town AND the bay, the ocean, nature trails, waterways, water sports, shopping, dining, and more? Wolfe Pointe is your answer!

This well-located neighborhood features large, custom-built homes on spacious lots, some backing to state wetlands. Several lots are currently for sale, which gives you even more opportunity to customize. The Wolfe Pointe Community features an outdoor pool, tennis courts, common areas – and again, it offers easy access to Downtown Historic Lewes, Cape Henlopen State Park, and biking/walking trails to Rehoboth Beach.

The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group has several homes and lots currently listed in a variety of sizes and price ranges. Take a look and feel free to contact us with any questions or for more information!

Evoke a Charleston and Low Country feel with this masterfully designed home. As the perfect venue to enjoy privacy and expansive views of the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal, this custom home offers 5,000 square feet of gracious, comfortable living. Bask in the retreat-like elegance of the amazing owner’s suite and luxury bath - which allows for one-floor living. Entertain in the professionally appointed gourmet kitchen and numerous rooms for relaxing - including 2 screened porches and 4 decks. Family and guests will appreciate third-floor privacy and miles of exceptional views. An ample three-car garage and versatile first floor with loads of storage complete the picture. Gorgeous landscaped grounds, impeccable interior, and coastal location make this residence truly exceptional.

Impeccable from first glance, this 4BR, 4.5BA home offers upgrades galore! Tasteful decor and refinished hardwoods provide the canvas for this truly exceptional home featuring four suites, first- and second-floor master bedrooms with sitting areas and luxury baths; formal dining and living rooms, inviting family room, dazzling gourmet kitchen with marble and soap stone countertops, Electrolux refrigeration, and stainless steel appliances. Enjoy the natural haven that surrounds you from multiple porches and balconies with wetland views, lush landscaping, and so much more!

Wolfe Pointe home delivers the “wow!” factor! High-end details and spacious floor plan feature first and second floor master suites with luxury baths, 9/10-foot ceilings, coffered and tray ceilings with custom moldings, two Rinnai water heaters, full basement roughed-in for bath and more! Just take a quick bike ride to Historic Lewes, or hop on the trail to Rehoboth Beach.

…on this tree-lined lot on the perimeter of Wolfe Pointe. Enjoy cascading views of the wetlands and a private, cul-de-sac location in this prestigious beach community. Build your dream home with no builder tie-in! Reach downtown Historic Lewes, beaches, restaurants and the bike/walking trail to Rehoboth Beach with ease.

Choose this sought-after locale for your new home in Lewes’ Wolfe Pointe. Gorgeous site offers perfect wetland views with bright southerly exposure, marsh view, and the endless privacy of a well-located, wooded back yard. No builder tie-in! Your scene it set, just envision your dream home and make the move. Don’t miss it!

Upscale design meets single-story convenience in this bright, charming Villages of Five Points home! This 4BR, 2.5BA Ranch home is both spacious and easy to maintain. Enjoy an intuitive layout that includes a great room, gourmet eat-in kitchen, office, large master suite with huge walk-in closet and beautiful private bath, and upgrades throughout. Plus, the wonderful community amenities are yours: two pools, tennis, walking/running paths, proximity to shopping, dining, and more!

Welcome To Angler's Nest – Lewes’ newest community of 17 Single Family Homes where you can walk to Historic Downtown Lewes and beaches. Brought to you by Collier Homes! Explore designs and options available for your custom home.

For more information about the Delaware Beaches, please contact The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., by phone at (302) 645-6664, or visit our website at www.LeeAnnGroup.com

As the top selling Realtor in Sussex County for 2014, and the #8 sales group for BHHS nationwide, we deliver "Superior Service, Outstanding Results," 7-days-a-week!

Q: What’s a better investment – total fixer-uppers, existing homes, or new construction?

A: We hear this question a lot, both from out-of-towners and locals, and it is really a matter of preference.

Historic Lewes homes have a strong draw if you like charm. If you have the time and can afford to renovate a home in the Lewes Historic District, for example, there are some wonderful opportunities to live in a town where you can walk to everything.

Re-sale homes are often great values. Our market has many homes that the original (or only second) owners are selling, which they bought new. These homes can be inexpensively upgraded, so in general, you can get a great value buying a resale over new construction.

New construction is definitely a hot ticket right now and offers the latest trends in materials and customization. Many buyers come from a traditional home they have lived in for 20+ years and just won’t consider anything but new. Many local builders make it so easy to design and make selections that building a new home is fun and not the hassle it once was.

No matter which direction you take, The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group can connect you to different types of homes and property options throughout the Delaware Beach communities, both east and west of Route 1. Please feel free to call us at (302) 645-6664 to explore your options!

As the top selling Realtor in Sussex County for 2014, and the #8 sales group for BHHS nationwide, The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group delivers "Superior Service, Outstanding Results," 7-days-a-week!

Sussex County farmers’ market season is getting in full swing, which means gorgeous crops of tomatoes, zucchini, berries, peaches, the list goes on, are filling the farmers' tables. It’s a perfect time to pull the tried-and-true zucchini bread or cobbler recipe out of the card box (or Google one, it’s 2015!).

We go back to the favorites out of tradition and because those recipes never fail. Adding some chocolate chips to the zucchini bread or mixing berries in the cobbler, even mixing tomatoes and peaches for a refreshing caprese salad, can liven up your table and make the flavors pop.

If you are selling your home, you may want to consider this strategy for your own property: Take a look at your home and consider how you can make your property “fresh for the picking.”

Here’s a ‘tried-and-true’ recipe we like to start with at The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group. Turning again to a cooking analogy, take a look at presentation, the first impression.

Price: The ultimate “first impression.” Make sure your house is priced accordingly (competitively and attractively) if you want to sell quickly.

Presentation: Why do we put off doing those little things for ourselves while we are living in a home – until it’s time for someone else to enjoy it? It’s common, but NOW is definitely the time to do these projects. People form first impressions on sensory information, not necessarily on ‘what could be.’

Try to take a look at your home with fresh eyes. Or, ask your REALTOR to make recommendations based on her or his first impression. These tips may seem obvious – and it may seem that buyer should be able to envision everything clean – but it’s a lot easier to envision when it actually IS clean! (The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group offers a free staging consultation.)

Walk into your house and take a deep breath with a 'fresh' nose. Do you smell your pets or smoky furniture? Has your home been closed up with A/C – or do you need a fresh filter? The old ‘baking cookies for the open house’ strategy works for a reason! You can, however, have too much of a good thing. Try to go for neutral versus too much potpourri or heavy scents. People love a fresh, new smell.

Eliminate clutter and paperwork. The fine Lladro figurines may be beautiful, but they are also precious, breakable and set a certain style. Take time to put them away carefully and set a neutral stage for your prospective buyer.

Freshen your paint, and wipe down ceiling fans, walls, handrails, baseboards, and light switches (even swap out dated light switches for more modern ones with dimmers).

Inspect all of your sinks, faucets, and toilets for drips and leaks. Seal leaky faucets, replace washers, and caulk where necessary. Consider ordering a professional home inspection now, before the often-hectic contract timeframe, so you don’t encounter surprises.

Don’t neglect the outside. With all the rain we have had lately, make sure your gutters are cleaned out and check your basement for any water leakage or mildew. Plus, standing water breeds mosquitoes! Clip your flowers and gardens to keep them looking great, too.

Recipe for Success

Unlike baking, home selling is not an exact science. These tips are based on more than 30 years of home-selling experience, and are by no means all-inclusive! One thing to keep in mind is that today, most people look online first and have already "seen" the inside of your home with photos and Virtual Tours, so putting your best foot forward at the moment you list your home is key.

The most successful recipe at The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group is equal parts experience and current market knowledge – with a dash of intuition and flexibility. Please visit us online at www.LeeAnnGroup.com or call us at (302) 645-6664 to customize a recipe for selling your home!

July 4th Weekend Fun at the Beach

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in Lewes!

Delaware is “The First State” for many reasons. As all Delaware history students know, it was literally ‘first’ to ratify the Constitution. We have a rich history throughout our state – from Sussex up to New Castle County.

Delaware is always first for celebrating Independence Day. History is written every year as Delaware’s beaches continue to top themselves, year over year, with amazing July 4th celebrations.

If you are visiting and thinking of buying a home at Delaware’s Beach communities, this July 4 may seal the deal!

No matter where you are at the Delaware Beaches, you’ll find out that we know how to throw a birthday party! If you are in Lewes for July 4, you will get swept up in truly the most classic Norman Rockwell portrayal of what it means to be an American for our nation’s Independence Day. If it sounds too good to be true, it is – but so is Delaware!

Thank you to all of our military veterans – from Delaware and throughout the nation – for securing our “life, liberty and pursuit of happiness” year-round.

On Saturday, July 4:

LEWES JULY 4 FUN

Starting at 9 a.m.

Kids’ fun and games on Second Street in Lewes

Starting around 1:30 p.m.

Lewes Boat Parade on the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal - see from the judge's stand at Fisherman's Wharf

Starting at 5 p.m.

World Famous Doo Dah Parade!

Find your spot along Kings Highway, Second Street or Savannah Road for the most classic American Hometown parade ever assembled. Or, line up by Lloyd’s IGA grocery store to join in the parade yourself!

After Dark

Catch some spectacular Lewes Beach views as locals light up the sky - and on a clear night, you can see Broadkill and Cape May!

IN DEWEY BEACH

Head to Dewey Beach (at Northbeach and Ivy restaurants) at night for their impressive fireworks display.

IN HISTORIC MILTON

Enjoy Independence Day all day, beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 4, at Milton Memorial Park.

On Sunday, July 5:

Let the party continue with Rehoboth Beach fireworks on Sunday, starting at about 9:15 p.m.!

Discover Angler’s Nest – a new construction community of 17 single-family homes brought to you by Collier Homes. Situated in a great location on the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal, Angler’s Nest offers different models, prices and finishes – all walking distance to the dining, shops and recreation that make Lewes a fantastic place to live. Start at 208 Angler’s Road to see what’s in store!

If traditional style and gorgeous historical appeal are your style, join us for a personal look at this fine property. This 200-year-old home earned The Lewes Historical Society's Award Of Excellence In 2010 and a full renovation in 2007 with meticulous care to preserve its beamed ceilings, wide plank floors, and three working fireplaces. Enjoy the convenience of its added first-floor Master bedroom. Property also includes 100 feet of canal frontage, garage and lush landscaping – an unbeatable location to enjoy the Canal!

If you have questions about these Open Houses or any other properties, don’t hesitate to call The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group at (302) 645-6664!

The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group is Honored by Award

The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group Ranked #8 in Nation for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and #1 in 17-state Southern Region

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (BHHS), the real estate division of CEO Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway global companies, held its annual convention from March 22-24, 2015, in Las Vegas. The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group of BHHS Gallo Realty in Lewes, Delaware, was announced as 8th in sales out of more than 35,000 agents nationwide for both units sold and total gross commission income (GCI) for 2014.

“We are thrilled and honored to earn these national awards and to be recognized on the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices stage for our performance both within the nationwide network and in our local beach real estate community,” explained Chris Holt, chief operating officer for The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group. “Truly the greatest honor for us, however, is the continued trust and commitment of our local clients who choose us to help them buy and sell their homes. This client loyalty and trust is what motivates us to deliver superior service and outstanding results day in and day out. We cannot thank them enough.”

The team’s 2014 distinction marks the third year in a row that The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group made the top ten nationally for both units sold and GCI. Additionally, Wilkinson and her team earned the “Top of the Rock” award, which goes to the #1 team in the 17-state Southern region of the United States.

“The awards at the annual convention always amaze me,” Lee Ann Wilkinson remarked. “My team’s focus every day is to strengthen our network of buyers and sellers so we can bring both together more effectively and efficiently. Earning recognition nationally for this dedication is incredibly humbling, and interacting with our colleagues nationwide is always eye opening. There’s so much to learn and keep up on in the ever-changing real estate world. I make sure to come home from each national convention with at least one new idea to improve our real estate practice.”

The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group has been serving buyers and sellers in the Sussex County beach community for over 30 years. According to the Sussex County Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data, Wilkinson and her team has ranked #1 in sales for the last 16 consecutive years.

Vice President of BHHS Gallo Realty Andrew Ratner commended the group and stated, “I applaud Lee Ann and her team for their outstanding achievement. It comes as no surprise - as they are a customer-centric sales team that is always focused on meeting customer needs. The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group exemplifies the high level of customer service that our company strives to achieve with each transaction.”

For more information about The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group, visit LeeAnnGroup.com, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call (302) 645-6664.

Referrals Are Key

People often get interviews for jobs based on specific criteria. Then, the key to whether or not they actually get hired comes down to “fit.” Hiring a real estate agent is no different. Homebuyers and sellers should consider a range of qualifications when selecting a realtor – and ultimately decide what matters most: Experience? Referrals? Results? Fit?

Members of The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group are happy to share our experience with prospective clients. Referrals and references are the cornerstone of our business. Our website, www.LeeAnnGroup.com, offers many of our much-appreciated client testimonials. Each member of our team has been recognized for assisting customers, and we are grateful that buyers and sellers have taken the time to express their appreciation!

We are pleased to share just one of our recent testimonials:

I wanted to tell you what a pleasure it was working with you. We really loved your approach. Being in D.C., we are used to realtors that want you to sign an agent agreement before they will show you anything and then put and lot of pressure on you to try and make decisions quickly. We never felt that from you, and it made the whole experience much more enjoyable. You were always incredibly responsive – nights, weekends, whenever, but we never felt like we were at all rushed. You gave us a lot of valuable input and guidance, and then listened to what it is we were looking for. I’m sure part of this is just a difference in the size of the markets, but we both much prefer your approach. We are very excited about the prospect of our new home, and we feel like we got the right deal for us. Thank you again. You were the perfect realtor for us.

- Joseph and Shina

Our Resume

Sales volume, the number of properties sold (as buyer agent or seller agent) is an important factor for many people. The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group leads Sussex County Realtors again for 2013 in sales volume and ranks 7th out of over 47,000 Prudential/Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices agents nationwide.

It’s true that we are busy! This pace actually enables us to serve the needs of more clients: We often put buyers and sellers together quickly, based on a strong local network and real-time real estate knowledge. Additionally, we have a strong working knowledge of most of the properties on the market and their current market value.

Each of us also recognizes that homebuyers and sellers here at the Delaware beaches have many choices when selecting a real estate agent. Buying or selling a home is a huge investment; so, just like hiring for any position, it sometimes comes down to “fit” – what matters most and who can make you feel comfortable with your purchase.

For more information about The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group, please visit our website at www.LeeAnnGroup.com, call us at (302) 645-6664, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. You could even stop by the office at 16698 Kings Highway, Suite A, in Lewes!

The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group ranked 7th of over 45,000 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and Prudential sales groups nationwide. Thanks to our local newspaper, The Cape Gazette, for reporting this honor! (Click link for story.)

Award for 7th in both Gross Commission Income and Residential Units Sold

Lee Ann Wilkinson and Chris Holt of The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group are back from an exciting, record-breaking trip to Nashville, Tennessee earlier this month. Sales associates from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Gallo Realty were among over 3,500 real estate professionals attending the annual sales convention, which featured industry speakers, workshops, and market observations about the transitioning national real estate market.

This year’s theme — Stand Out! Live. Life. Loud. — recognized a strengthening market in the U.S. economy and residential real estate and how brokers and agents acting now can grow their businesses well into the future.

Members of The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group are extremely proud and humbled for this mention from our parent company, Gallo Realty:

One of the highlights of the annual convention is the awards ceremony, in which 15 Gallo Realty agents and teams earned prestigious awards. The highlight this year was when the Lee Ann Wilkinson Group of Gallo Realty’s Lewes office won the Pinnacle Award for the #7 sales team in the entire network of over 45,000 agents.

“It is really quite astonishing that an agent from such a small geographic area can be in the top 10 of over 45,000 agents across the country, many of whom operate in large, metropolitan markets. It is a true testimony to the work ethic of Lee Ann and her entire team,” remarked Ratner. “I am so proud of all of our award winners. They are a shining example of how a real estate professional should operate; with hard work, attention to detail, and truly outstanding customer service,” added Ratner.

In addition to the Pinnacle Award, the Lee Ann Wilkinson Group also won the Top of the Rock Award for being the number one agent team in the Southern Region of 17 states and the Chairman’s Circle Diamond Award for generating over $120 million in sales volume.

We share the excitement with our fellow agents, including The Barbara Morales Associates and the Andy Staton Group, each operating out of Gallo Realty’s Rehoboth Beach office, who won the Chairman’s Circle Gold Award for generating over $14 million in sales volume.

Based on information from Sussex County Association of REALTORS®, Inc., which neither guarantees nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy. All data is provided 'AS IS' and with all faults. Data maintained by Sussex County Association of REALTORS®, Inc. may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.Lee Ann Wilkinson, REALTOR® is a real estate licensee in the State of Delaware. SCAOR # SCAOR07018.Copyright 2018 Sussex County Association of REALTORS®, Inc.